Rosso in Conversation with: Michael Harding
Jun 11, 2026In this special conversation on ZOOM, I sit down with Michael Harding — one of the UK’s most respected manufacturers of professional oil paints and artist materials.
We discuss Michael’s inspiring journey, how his brand began, and the philosophy behind creating some of the world’s most loved handmade oil paints. This conversation is packed with insights for painters interested in oil painting materials, pigment quality, permanence, lightfastness, mediums, varnishes, and the technical side of professional painting practice.
Michael explains in depth why his oil paints are so unique — from the exceptionally high pigment load and rich colour concentration, to the careful formulation and testing process behind every tube of paint.
This recording is part of a new series of conversations hosted by RossoArtSchool, where I’ll be inviting artists, makers, and experts from the art world to discuss painting, creativity, materials, and artistic practice in greater depth.
I hope you enjoy the conversation — and feel free to sign up for more of these upcoming talks in the future.
PS. Here’s a link to Michael Harding Handmade Paints, where you can explore an extensive library of articles, technical information, colour notes, and resources that go even deeper into many of the topics discussed in this conversation
Did you know you can learn with me both online and in person?
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